ISD Intel (5/5)
Coming into the spring, there were high expectations for Brandon Wimbush and the New Jersey native performed well enough that the expectations are even higher for Notre Dame's next starting quarterback coming out of the spring. We spoke with a source close to Wimbush's development, who credits the quarterback with ramping up those hopes. "I really believe that all throughout the spring, he really won over his coaching staff, won over his teammates and gave them a clear view as to what they'll be able to expect going into the fall," we were told. "There's a heightened sense of excitement going into the summer and heading into the fall about what this season could potentially be. I think it could be something completely special, very special, just from what I was able to witness on that field. "There were a few plays that we left on the field that he had an opportunity to go back, watch the film and learn from, but other than that, he displayed all of the attributes that he's going to bring to this Chip Long offense." Wimbush was picked off twice during the Blue-Gold Game, including one attempt in the red zone to Miles Boykin. "Brandon took a shot, he was decisive and he believed he could thread that thing in there, but he probably should have taken more care of the football in the red zone," the source said. "It was really a misjudgment, miscalculation, miscommunication." With a quarterback who has Wimbush's arm talent, there will always be a fine line between taking advantage of that talent and forcing a throw. "What I do like about it, he made a decision and he was aggressive with it," the source said. "Through reps like that and being able to see it on the field, going back to film and watching it, he'll understand sometimes you have to pick your poison and live to see another day. "He sees a window of opportunity and he was decisive and aggressive about the decision. It wasn't like he hung onto the ball too long, he made the decision and went with it. He tried to show some level of timing and anticipation. Sometimes, you misjudge and miscalculate. Sometimes you make a wrong read based upon what you see. Through time and experience, you'll begin to understand when you should take those shots. But when you know you're blessed with an arm like he possesses, he's in a more advantageous position to take those risks and he's going to win more times than not. He has that gunslinger mentality. We have to find a way to keep it under control to the point where he doesn't put himself and his team at a disadvantage or bad situation." Since arriving at Notre Dame two years ago, Wimbush has seamlessly adjusted to different roles. Coming in as a freshman, his goal was to compete for the backup job, which was suddenly his once Malik Zaire went down in the second game of the season. He spent last spring trying to turn a two-person race between Zaire and DeShone Kizer into a three-person race before having to make the most of a redshirt year as a sophomore. Now, he'll be thrust into the spotlight as he promises to be a trendy pick as a breakout college star. But he'll be able to handle it, according to our source. "One of the unique qualities about Brandon is that he doesn't allow all of that hype to go to his head," we were told. "He takes it all into consideration. He understands what it all is, but it's not like he allows his head to swell up and inflate his ego. He gets it. "He understands what this process is, he understands what it entails. He understands there are going to be some tremendous things said about him in the media leading up to his full indoctrination as Notre Dame's QB1, but with all of that being said, he's going to remain level-headed. It's a quiet, humble confidence that he possesses, but he doesn't allow all of this hype. It's all a business approach. He's excited for the opportunity and he wants to take full advantage of all the opportunities that he'll get to continue to grow and learn." FROM THE BUSHES: It certainly looks like a clear Notre Dame-Ohio State battle for 2018 Ohio linebacker Dallas Gant at this point. While we don't believe Gant has made a decision yet, with an announcement scheduled for May 16th, we do feel comfortable saying the Buckeyes are currently in front. The lack of a firm decision just yet should give the Irish some hope, but it would require a change of thinking on Gant's part. We still see 2018 Maryland defensive tackle Ja'mion Franklin picking Notre Dame when he makes his announcement on July 1st. The key will be whether Franklin decides to completely shut down his recruitment, meaning no visits, after his announcement and how the Irish will handle things if he wants to commit, but isn't ready to completely shut things down. We've heard from multiple sources that PJ Mustipher's visit for the spring game a couple weeks ago went well. It's obvious the Notre Dame staff has done a great job making the 2018 Maryland defensive tackle feel wanted. His parents love Notre Dame and the fact that his brother, starting center Sam Mustipher, has done so well during his time in South Bend, but they're going to let PJ make his own decision. The connection with his brother and the comfort level with everybody on the team should help the Irish, but this one isn't a slam dunk by any means yet. As we've said here for the last couple of weeks, Notre Dame has a real solid shot at 2018 New Jersey Rover candidate Shayne Simon. His mother and aunt attended Michigan and assistant Chris Partridge has done a great job recruiting New Jersey since arriving in Ann Arbor from Paramus Catholic a couple years back, so his ties to the Wolverines are real. Still, his mother is serious about academics and that part of the visit to Notre Dame really seemed to hit home with her. Also, everybody around Simon who we've talked with says the kid is really a Notre Dame type of kid, so this one should be interesting. It continues to look like a Notre Dame-Ohio State battle for IMG defensive back Houston Griffith. The Irish were down to check in on him and his teammates this week and he continues to show a legitimate interest in Notre Dame even though the Buckeyes could have a bit of a lead right now. A couple West Coast safeties to keep an eye on include California's Julius Irvin and Washington's Tre'Shaun Harrison. Both have expressed some interest in visiting, but it'll be telling if they actually do. On that note, we've heard Washington is doing a fantastic job recruiting out there and that Chris Petersen is just a great salesman because of his total honesty. We've also heard USC head coach Clay Helton is doing a very good job for the Trojans for the same reason. Notre Dame was down to see 2018 Florida offensive lineman Nicholas Petit-Frere this week. He may not receive as much attention as some other prospects, but Petit-Frere is a very, very important recruit for the Irish this cycle. It isn't clear when he'll make his decision, but Notre Dame put itself in a good position with a visit back in March. The Irish will have to beat out schools like Florida, Alabama, Auburn and Ohio State to get him, but they're right there. It seems likely Notre Dame will try to take four offensive linemen in 2018 and with two in the fold already with Cole Mabry and John Dirksen, the Tampa target is probably the best bet for a third at this point with Notre Dame still trailing Michigan for Ryan Hayes. We heard from Florida wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. earlier this week and we'll have more on him below. As we've said in the past, Austin is "definitely" a Notre Dame type of kid. He truly enjoyed his visit and we remain high on Notre Dame's chances of landing him over Miami, Tennessee and Duke. 2018 Oregon wide receiver Chase Cota is another Notre Dame kid, but his connections to Oregon, where his father was a standout, could be difficult to overcome. The feeling among many is that this will end up being a battle between Notre Dame, Oregon and Stanford. Notre Dame remains in the race for 2018 New York tight end Jeremy Ruckert. The Irish had a good conversation with him last week and he expressed an interest in returning, possibly in June. With previous chatter that he could be finished with visits, a return trip to South Bend this summer would confirm the Irish's chances as legitimate against Ohio State, Michigan and Wisconsin. DOWELL OK WITH WAITING: As we reported last week, 2018 Ohio defensive back Michael Dowell remains in contact with Notre Dame and did catch up with the Irish staff as planned last week after receiving a visit at school. "They didn't offer me, but said they were going to keep recruiting me and to stay in contact," said Dowell. "The next step toward an offer would be to keep working and staying in contact with them. They're going around and seeing some other guys during the Evaluation Period right now. I can just hope for the best." The 6-foot, 195-pounder already has offers from schools like Michigan State, Iowa, Indiana, Cincinnati, Duke, Maryland, Pitt, Syracuse and Vanderbilt among others, but he admits Notre Dame is one he wants. "I do want the Notre Dame offer, so it's kind of humbling in a way," he acknowledged. "It just gives me something to work for. It just shows me I still have things to work on. Obviously, I knew that beforehand, but it helps me keep things in perspective." The delay in receiving an Irish offer isn't causing any negative feelings on his end. "I wouldn't really say that just because I'm very familiar with this process," he said. "I've gone through it with my brothers who are at Michigan State. I understand how it works. I'm not mad. I'm a little disappointed and wish I could have done better, but I understand the process and I hope to hear from them soon, so that's all I can do." If the Irish do join the mix, expect them to be serious, serious players. IRISH COMMITS STAY AFTER AUSTIN: Kevin Austin Jr. is unlikely to take any more visits before making his college announcement, meaning the trip he took to Notre Dame for the Irish's spring game a couple weeks back will be the 2018 Florida wideout's final one before a commitment. Coming into that visit, Austin told us hearing from the current members of Notre Dame's 2018 recruiting class would be important. Coming out of the visit, it's clear the members of the class see Austin as a potential important piece. "I heard from Braden Lenzy, Micah (Jones) and Markese (Stepp)," Austin told us this week. "They tell me we can make the Notre Dame recruiting class and our class could be the best ever for Notre Dame and we'll come in there and start early and make a big impact. "They're really a great group of guys who seem to be good throughout the process. They're trying to get a lot of guys over to their school to make them the best. That's really great to see." BOOMER SURE TO BE A SOONER?: The headlines seem to write themselves when you're talking about a top prospect in the state of Oklahoma with the last name Boomer, but 2019 Oklahoma tight end Grayson Boomer is saying, "Not so fast my friend," with the talk of him being a lock play for the homestate power. "That's what a lot of people say, but I'm really wide open," the 6-foot-5, 230-pounder from Collinsville, Okla., told ISD this week. "I'm going to go wherever I feel comfortable. It's not like, 'Oh, all of the Oklahoma kids are going to OU, so I'm going to go to OU.' I'm going to go where I fit in best and where I can excel and make it to the next next level." And Boomer, who received an Irish offer recently, is well aware of Notre Dame's success with getting tight ends to that next next level as Kyle Rudolph is one of his favorite tight ends in the NFL. He also knows the Irish had enough to offer to sign two of the top tight ends in the Class of 2017 in Brock Wright and Cole Kmet. The Irish will have to get Boomer up to South Bend at some point and it isn't clear when that may occur, but his interest in Notre Dame is real. UGA LEGACY NO LOCK FOR UGA: Similarly, many people have 2018 Georgia tight end Tommy Tremble pegged as a lock to follow the footsteps of his father, former Georgia and Dallas Cowboy safety Greg Tremble. But the younger Tremble, who was offered by Notre Dame this week and has several other offers from BCS and Ivy League programs, says he's considering all of his options. "I've been a Georgia fan all of my life, I watched them play, bought the jerseys, half of my clothes are Georgia stuff," he said. "My dad was a pretty good safety and went to The League for two or three years. They sold his jersey in the shop and all of that. "After he hurt his shoulder in the NFL and had to retire, he felt Georgia sort of forgot about him. They have their alumni stuff and all of that, but they treated him the same as if he was just a walk-onMy dad doesn't really care, but my mom does not like Georgia and the way they treated him as an alum. That's one of the things with my thoughts on Georgia." MORGAN MAY NOT BE OUT: 2018 Texas safety Christian Morgan committed to Baylor earlier this week, but we still think there's a chance for Notre Dame to remain in the running if the Irish decide to offer him at some point. We spoke with Morgan earlier this week, just prior to his commitment, and it didn't sound like his feelings on Notre Dame had changed much from his visit last month, when he said an offer from the Irish would shoot them to the very top of his list. He's remained in touch with the staff in South Bend and is expecting the defensive coordinator to drop in on him at Porter High School soon. "I think Coach (Mike) Elko is coming by next week," he told us. "I just don't know when. "They've just been saying the same thing, they just want to see me in person and stuff like that." DOWN A GRADE: Notre Dame extended a pair of offers to 2019 quarterbacks earlier this week, which wasn't a huge surprise to us. Although 2019 California quarterback JT Daniels has been a favorite of Irish fans for more than a year now, we've heard the term "longshot" associated with him for a couple weeks now. That's why Daniels wasn't included on our Top 10 To Watch list last month. Other 2019 prospects who were in contention to be on the list, but were ultimately left off include Ohio defensive tackle Jowon Briggs, St. Louis linebacker Shammond Cooper and Illinois offensive lineman Trevor Keegan. It's still very early in the process, so this list will undoubtedly change, but as it is today, each of those targets missed the cut. Also, 2018 Ohio linebacker Brian Asamoah hit pause on his recruiting plans when schools like Notre Dame and others extended offers. His interest in the Irish is legit, his connection to defensive coordinator Mike Elko is unique and he remains on the board, but he'll need to do a good deal of work in order to be a legitimate Notre Dame target. GOING CAMPING: Irish Invasion is set for Saturday, June 10th. After having a lot of top targets just visit and not compete in years past, we expect a greater push to get many of those guys on the field this time. In addition to Tremble, we've also confirmed Indianapolis cornerback DJ Johnson will be in attendance along with 2019 Colorado quarterback Ty Evans and a couple others. 2019 Kansas defensive end Marcus Hicks has early offers from Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Kansas State. "I've heard a lot of good things and I just really want to learn more about it because I don't know that much in-depth about Notre Dame," Hicks said. The 6-foot-5, 230-pounder from Wichita is confident in what he believes he'll be able to show the Irish in a camp setting. "I think I can definitely show them my speed and my pass-rushing ability, which I've heard I'm pretty good at," he said. 2018 New Orleans cornerback Curry Benn has an offer from Arizona along with offers from smaller regional schools. He's hoping to impress the Irish coaches during his trip to South Bend this summer for camp. "Since I was in eighth grade, I picked out colleges I was into and Notre Dame was one of them because of the academics," the 6-foot, 170-pounder said. "Every year, I did some research and for the past 15 years, somebody from Notre Dame has been drafted into the NFL and I like that." Benn was excited when he began communicating with Irish defensive backs coach Todd Lyght and is looking forward to the camp. "I'll show them a complete cornerback; tackling, covering, everything you're looking for in a cornerback." QUICK HOOPS NOTES: The weather wasn't great, but we're told Prentiss Hubb's official visit to Notre Dame earlier this week went "as good as it could go." We're confident Notre Dame made a great impression on the 2018 Washington, D.C. point guard, who is also considering Virginia, Villanova and Maryland. "We shall see if it was good enough," one source said. The Irish are hosting another big target this weekend in 6-foot-10 UConn transfer Juwan Durham, which we reported last week. Durham is pretty much down to Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech and it sounds like the Irish have done a good job making he and his family feel comfortable. We're not sure if Durham is a candidate to pull the trigger this weekend though. We get the sense he probably wants to take at least one other visit to compare Notre Dame to another school before an announcement, something he didn't do when he initially went through the recruiting process coming out of high school.
